SANTA CLARITA – For the Foothill League varsity cross country runners, it was a case Thursday of ready, set and wait six more days.

After the freshman/sophomore races had been completed under 102-degree heat at Central Park, paramedics from L.A. County Fire Department Station 111 were called to Central Park to attend to a male runner and four female competitors who complained of heat exhaustion and breathing difficulties.

Paramedics then advised coaches and race officials to cancel the remaining four races – as the boys’ varsity runners stepped on the starting line – and postpone them until Wednesday.

“It was very hot out there and we had just left the park after attending to the male patient and we were called right back,” said John Mazzocco, captain of LACFD Station 111.

“I had to call multiple ambulances and paramedics because they kept dropping. If they had continued to run, it was just going to get worse, so I informed the people in charge to shut it down.”

Four of the athletes were transported to nearby Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital for further evaluation.

It marked the first time since 2006 that a regular-season Foothill meet was canceled or postponed, the last time as a result of the Day Fire. The 2007 league final was moved from the Santa Clarita Valley to Crescenta Valley Park because of poor air quality as a result of the Buckweed Fire.

“It was really hot, but we’re used to it,” McCarty said. “It was a lot harder than Woodbridge (run in cooler weather Saturday night in Irvine), but it was still OK. I didn’t even smell smoke until after.

“It’s terrible that they cut the (varsity) races. We’re all here and everybody was ready for it and then they cancelled it.”

Golden Valley coach Chris Evans, who was in charge of the meet, expressed disappointment over having to set up the Central Park course again Wednesday. But Evans said the delay wouldn’t affect his athletes’ preparation.

“If we’re mentally focused, then it won’t be a problem,” Evans said. “It’s still three miles, it’s the same course and the same guys, we’ve just got to wait a little bit longer. Instead of opening our presents on Christmas eve, now we’ll have to wait to open our presents on Christmas morning.”

One group that could benefit from the delay is the Saugus boys’ varsity lineup, which would’ve competed at less than full strength Thursday with Alec Nelson still recovering from a stress reaction in his left leg. Nelson was on the starting line before the boys’ varsity race was cancelled, but the senior captain said the extra time could be beneficial in his rehabilitation.

“I’m usually very confident when I race, but (Thursday) I was really nervous. It’s probably the most nervous I’ve been for a race since my freshman year,” Nelson said. “I’m not exactly confident with my fitness right now, so I was happy to get a couple more days.”

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